Golden Perch Discussion Thread - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Volo · 09-06-2006, 10:53 AM

Hurray! Some famous people joining! Or is it so Valesse? Is Valleseka the same person as in The Great Golden Horde?

Valesse · 09-06-2006, 03:26 PM

Why yes-indeed-y it is, Volo.

Volo · 09-07-2006, 09:12 AM

By the way, how do we use money here so that it's Tolkien-like. Aren't some of us using too big coins to pay for stuff. I mean, a pony costs four silver pennies in Bree and even to Butterbur 30 silver pennies was a big summ. Ok, I know there is more information on this matter elsewhere, but just to tell the other members about the use of too big money...

Colren paid with a golden coin, because he doesn't have smaller money.

Folwren · 09-07-2006, 12:21 PM

Welcome, Vallesse. Glad to see a new person joining.

I don't know about the money question, Volo. I really don't keep sharp tabs on forms of currency in any story that I've ever written. I should, really, but I don't. Do you really want me to find out?

-- Folwren

Volo · 09-07-2006, 12:56 PM

Not really, I'm not soooo much into Tolkien that I can't enjoy my time with a "mistake" like this...

Just to clarify this matter in case I messed up.

Child of the 7th Age · 09-07-2006, 01:11 PM

Hi, there! I am no expert on Shire money, but I know a bit about medieval currency. However, this is not the last word on things, but my personal opinion....

The Shire would likely have had copper pennies and haypennies, silver pennies (undoubtedly worth more) and something equivalent to a gold sovereign. Also possibly a three penney piece, four penney piece, and a six pence. The penney would have been the basic unit of coinage.

Tolkien mentions that "silver pennies" were paid out in the purchase of Bill the Pony. A pony is a fairly large purchase. Likely copper pennies would be used for food and for a night's lodging. Silver pennies would only be involved with larger purchases or a longer stay at the Inn. Gold coins would normally be reserved for larger transactions. You'd get a lot of change back if you paid for a night's lodgings with a gold coin!

The actual value of medieval coins was their weight in precious metal. This is unlike modern money, which is a "token" currency. However, Tolkien seems to have set the Shire in a "later period" than a place like Rohan so the money may have been more standardized. Of course, the guests at the Inn would also bring currency from their homelands so you probably had a real mishmash of different coins!

I'll try and check and see if I can see any links with more information. If anyone has more precise info, please go ahead and share it too. Hope this helps.

EDIT. Can't seem to find any pertinent links. The Shire Post website does sell "imaginery" shire coins of the type described above. Pio may possibly have more info on this (or she may not

)

Cami Goodchild, Shire Mod

Mithalwen · 09-08-2006, 01:24 PM

Lily, My Cir is talking to Taffy to make sure he knows what he is asking for!

09-06-2006, 10:53 AM	#1
Volo Silver in My Silent Heart Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: the great beauty Posts: 1,611	Hurray! Some famous people joining! Or is it so Valesse? Is Valleseka the same person as in The Great Golden Horde? __________________ Fenris Wolf The EVEN NEWER Barrow-Downs Photo Page

09-06-2006, 03:26 PM	#2
Valesse Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: \|Away Posts: 614	Why yes-indeed-y it is, Volo. __________________ "Loo, what sholde a man in thyse dayes now wryte, 'egges' or 'eyren'?" - Caxton, Eneydos

09-07-2006, 09:12 AM	#3
Volo Silver in My Silent Heart Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: the great beauty Posts: 1,611	By the way, how do we use money here so that it's Tolkien-like. Aren't some of us using too big coins to pay for stuff. I mean, a pony costs four silver pennies in Bree and even to Butterbur 30 silver pennies was a big summ. Ok, I know there is more information on this matter elsewhere, but just to tell the other members about the use of too big money... Colren paid with a golden coin, because he doesn't have smaller money. __________________ Fenris Wolf The EVEN NEWER Barrow-Downs Photo Page

09-07-2006, 12:21 PM	#4
Folwren Messenger of Hope Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a tiny, insignificant little town in one of the many States. Posts: 5,076	Welcome, Vallesse. Glad to see a new person joining. I don't know about the money question, Volo. I really don't keep sharp tabs on forms of currency in any story that I've ever written. I should, really, but I don't. Do you really want me to find out? -- Folwren __________________ A young man who wishes to remain a sound atheist cannot be too careful of his reading. - C.S. Lewis

09-07-2006, 12:56 PM	#5
Volo Silver in My Silent Heart Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: the great beauty Posts: 1,611	Not really, I'm not soooo much into Tolkien that I can't enjoy my time with a "mistake" like this... Just to clarify this matter in case I messed up. __________________ Fenris Wolf The EVEN NEWER Barrow-Downs Photo Page

09-07-2006, 01:11 PM	#6
Child of the 7th Age Spirit of the Lonely Star Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 5,133	Hi, there! I am no expert on Shire money, but I know a bit about medieval currency. However, this is not the last word on things, but my personal opinion.... The Shire would likely have had copper pennies and haypennies, silver pennies (undoubtedly worth more) and something equivalent to a gold sovereign. Also possibly a three penney piece, four penney piece, and a six pence. The penney would have been the basic unit of coinage. Tolkien mentions that "silver pennies" were paid out in the purchase of Bill the Pony. A pony is a fairly large purchase. Likely copper pennies would be used for food and for a night's lodging. Silver pennies would only be involved with larger purchases or a longer stay at the Inn. Gold coins would normally be reserved for larger transactions. You'd get a lot of change back if you paid for a night's lodgings with a gold coin! The actual value of medieval coins was their weight in precious metal. This is unlike modern money, which is a "token" currency. However, Tolkien seems to have set the Shire in a "later period" than a place like Rohan so the money may have been more standardized. Of course, the guests at the Inn would also bring currency from their homelands so you probably had a real mishmash of different coins! I'll try and check and see if I can see any links with more information. If anyone has more precise info, please go ahead and share it too. Hope this helps. EDIT. Can't seem to find any pertinent links. The Shire Post website does sell "imaginery" shire coins of the type described above. Pio may possibly have more info on this (or she may not ) Cami Goodchild, Shire Mod __________________ Multitasking women are never too busy to vote. Last edited by Child of the 7th Age; 09-07-2006 at 01:28 PM.

09-08-2006, 01:24 PM	#7
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,460	Lily, My Cir is talking to Taffy to make sure he knows what he is asking for! __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace